Will Minson - Too short to ever be a really effective ruckman?

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Will Minson - Too short to ever be a really effective ruckman?

Got any better suggestions?

I'm with you on being concerned that we haven't been drafting ruckmen lately.

Kidnap Dean Cox?

[Bornadog]

Re: Will Minson - Too short to ever be a really effective ruckman?

I think he would have been better last year with fewer broken legs.

What did you expect from him last year? He missed over 3 months in the middle of the season.

Once he gets back to his form, he will be awesome. One thing about Minson is his presence on the ground combined with his aggression and enthusiasm, he can turn a game around. He will be turning 22 in April and is still not at his peak for a big man.

[alwaysadog]

Re: Will Minson - Too short to ever be a really effective ruckman?

I think he would have been better last year with fewer broken legs.

What did you expect from him last year? He missed over 3 months in the middle of the season.

I'm not having a go at him. the leg took longer than initially expected to heal etc so that may suggest it was a worse break than anticipated. My point was to suggest that the problem at the moment as I see it is not the issue of size but one of form, which while reasonable is not sparkling. I did say, "Of course we may be expecting him to be up too soon. If a season is a long grind for any group it's the ruckmen."

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Will Minson - Too short to ever be a really effective ruckman?

I really don't think we can win a premiership with a guy like Street being carried by others. Sure he can tap the ball - but his influence on play is next to nothing, and we don't win any more clearance when he's rucking.

[alwaysadog]

Re: Will Minson - Too short to ever be a really effective ruckman?

Got any better suggestions?

I'm with you on being concerned that we haven't been drafting ruckmen lately.

Clayton is on record as saying he is very cautious about drafting young ruckmen as they may never develop the body for the collision aspects of the craft. I guess it was Minson's body that got him drafted and he may be awaiting another body type like that.

[Bornadog]

Re: Will Minson - Too short to ever be a really effective ruckman?

Clayton is on record as saying he is very cautious about drafting young ruckmen as they may never develop the body for the collision aspects of the craft. I guess it was Minson's body that got him drafted and he may be awaiting another body type like that.

Well if you can't draft a ruckman, how the hell do you get one?

[Dry Rot]

Re: Will Minson - Too short to ever be a really effective ruckman?

Well if you can't draft a ruckman, how the hell do you get one?

I suppose the "draft the best player" folk would have to say trade for him, although some teams curiously disagree with Clayton and draft duds like Cox, Sandilands etc

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Will Minson - Too short to ever be a really effective ruckman?

Sam Jacobs was the name I was sprouting on about, his body is ready, much like Will's when we drafted him.

Interesting that Tippet (I think that's the right name) who the Crows drafted had his first hit out for the club against Melbourne last weekend. He did very well - especially considering that he has only played about 20 games of football.

If I were Clayton, I'd start following junior basketball too, that's for sure.

[Bornadog]

Re: Will Minson - Too short to ever be a really effective ruckman?

I suppose the "draft the best player" folk would have to say trade for him, although some teams curiously disagree with Clayton and draft duds like Cox, Sandilands etc

I don't believe its soemthing you can rely on. Perhaps you have try a combination of trading and drafting and hope you get it right.

What I don't understand is, why do the taller guys take longer to mature into a good footballer? Why should it make any difference?

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Will Minson - Too short to ever be a really effective ruckman?

What I don't understand is, why do the taller guys take longer to mature into a good footballer? Why should it make any difference?

The taller guys haven't always stopped growing and until they do they are usually unco. Once they stop getting taller they start to fill out and their co-ordination improves.

Strength is also often more important in the roles that bigger guys play. Could you imagine how a skinny 18 yo ruckman would avoid getting get shoved out of the way at a boundary throw-in by someone like Scott Wynd?

[alwaysadog]

Re: Will Minson - Too short to ever be a really effective ruckman?

Well if you can't draft a ruckman, how the hell do you get one?

Not quite bornadog;2684. I said cautious not can't. There is a world of difference.

I went on to suggest that perhaps Minson's physical maturity was the reason for his selection and that Clayton might be waiting till we had a pick that let us select a suitable player with a similar body type.

IMHO at this early state of our judgement on last year's selections we appear to have drafted and selected very well even down to the rookies. As far as an additional ruckman is concerned I don't think they will be in any hurry, the 2007 draft is the earliest I expected one and possibly not till the year after

[alwaysadog]

Re: Will Minson - Too short to ever be a really effective ruckman?

I suppose the "draft the best player" folk would have to say trade for him, although some teams curiously disagree with Clayton and draft duds like Cox, Sandilands etc

Yes DR these two have certainly done well, Cox if I recall correctly was a rookie pick. On the other hand would you like to list all the would be ruck selections who never made it?

[alwaysadog]

Re: Will Minson - Too short to ever be a really effective ruckman?

The taller guys haven't always stopped growing and until they do they are usually unco. Once they stop getting taller they start to fill out and their co-ordination improves.

Strength is also often more important in the roles that bigger guys play. Could you imagine how a skinny 18 yo ruckman would avoid getting get shoved out of the way at a boundary throw-in by someone like Scott Wynd?

Quite right Sockeye an imature body in a collision position is a recipe for disaster.

When did Street stop growing? I think he was growing until 22 at least. The bigger they are the longer it seems to take on average.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Will Minson - Too short to ever be a really effective ruckman?

Yes DR these two have certainly done well, Cox if I recall correctly was a rookie pick. On the other hand would you like to list all the would be ruck selections who never made it?

It would probably be an interesting read but I still don't think this is as hard as we seem to want to make it. It just goes to show you that we have a coach and a recruiting manager that just dont rate the position at all. Port recruit ruckman and even the Blues do but we just never ever roll the dice and select a strong bodied big lump of a lad and try and mold him into the position Minson aside. We all know we should have at least one more on the list but they cannot seem to find a spot for one not even on an extended rookie list.

[Bornadog]

Re: Will Minson - Too short to ever be a really effective ruckman?

Watching Will Minson on Friday night it really struck me that even though he played OK I don't think he is a genuine ruckman over the course of a season.
He's as tough as hell, throws his body around and is very competitive but really lacks a bit of height and athleticism that is required to be a really good ruckman.

To make matters a little bit worse even when he is moved up forward he isn't a strong enough mark nor does he really grasp how to position himself so that he could become a dangerous ruck/forward combination player. I'm getting a stronger belief that Minson will just be a decent ruckman albeit one also that needs to be supported by someone like Street.

He is only very young in ruck terms so am I judging him too harshly?
Do many people here think Minson can develop into a quality ruckman or a quality ruckman who can also be effective up forward?

Sorry to bump this thread BB, but I think we are starting to see a real genuine ruckman emerging. Minson is now ranked 5th in hitouts and thats after a slow start to the season.

In the past few weeks he has been the dominant ruckman on the ground, averaging over 20 hitouts a game. His work around the ground has been good as well, even though he is not athletic. Last night he put on 9 tackles, some great goal assists and is using his bulk in packs. Still has alot to learn, but has alot of upside. I think he is playing better than Huddo.

What do others think?